Denver, CO – Residents at the Civic Lofts in Denver have initiated a class action lawsuit against their apartment complex, citing multiple safety concerns and alleged deceptive practices. This legal action has highlighted ongoing issues, not just in their building but potentially affecting other renters city-wide.
The suit, still in its preliminary phase, confronts a variety of grievances including elevator malfunctions that have endangered residents. Alexandria Zavala, a tenant, described a harrowing experience where she was trapped in a malfunctioning elevator that suddenly ceased moving and began to drop. She recalled, “It stopped on the thirteenth floor before everything went completely dark.” Despite attempts to alert someone using the non-functional call button, Zavala had to resort to calling 911. The Denver Fire Department, reportedly accustomed to calls from this location, facilitated her rescue.
Such elevator incidents at Civic Lofts are part of a broader narrative detailed in the lawsuit. It claims the property management failed to disclose key operational licenses to tenants. Lawyer David Krivit, representing the tenants, highlighted the severity and commonality of the issues that prompted a collective legal response. “We’ve addressed individual cases in the past, but the scale of affected individuals here compelled us to support the entire community within Civic Lofts,” he stated.
The building’s failure to possess a rental license came to light following multiple city fines. Reports confirm that the Civic Lofts was penalized four times over nearly two years, with fines totaling $2,648 for not maintaining a necessary rental license. Despite recent actions purportedly rectifying these violations, residents’ complaints, and the lawsuit, suggest deeper systemic issues.
Compounding the elevator and licensing issues, residents have reported erratic utility billing that suggests possible unfair practices. “Electric bills would sometimes inexplicably double from one month to the next,” Krivit added, hinting at what he described as potential fraudulent behavior.
Centerspace, the property management group, has refrained from commenting on the ongoing legal proceedings. A statement from Kelly Webber, the senior vice president of strategic services, briefly addressed some issues. “Civic Lofts has a current elevator license and has successfully passed a rental inspection,” the statement acknowledged, excluding further comment due to the pending lawsuit.
This case could set a precedent for how rental properties are managed and how tenant rights are protected in Denver. Beyond Civic Lofts, Krivit Law is identifying similar patterns of neglect and hazard in other complexes, suggesting that the issue could be widespread among properties managed by external entities focused on cost-cutting.
For tenants like Zavala, the lawsuit is more than just about rectifying personal grievances—it’s about advocating for future residents. “It’s important that incoming tenants are aware of what they might face, and it’s crucial to have someone ready to voice concerns,” she emphasized, shedding light on the need for persistent and informed tenant advocacy.
The unfolding lawsuit at Civic Lofts opens a window into broader challenges faced by renters that extend beyond Denver, touching on essential themes of safety, transparency, and fairness in housing.